Written Answers Thursday 11 October 2007

Scottish Executive

Coastal Protection

Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow Maryhill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the recent report by the Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion group, what action it will take to protect historic sites from the effects of climate change.

Linda Fabiani: Contrary to recent press reports, the Scottish Coastal Archaeology and the Problem of Erosion (SCAPE) Trust’s report has not yet been published. Indeed, it has yet to be submitted in final form to Historic Scotland, who commissioned it and will be paying for it. As I said in my response to Hugh Henry’s oral question on 4 October 2007, we recognise the importance of the issue of coastal erosion of historic sites, we already protect several important sites and we will take action to ensure that key sites which cannot be saved are properly recorded. We are working with other interested parties to achieve this and Historic Scotland looks forward to receiving the SCAPE report, which will assist in setting priorities.

Industry

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support it will offer to the coal mining industry.

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific measures it will introduce to support the coal industry, including opencast mining.

Jim Mather: The Scottish coal mining industry makes a significant contribution to energy supplies, currently supplying around 25% of UK coal production. Our policy opposing new nuclear power stations in Scotland, the installation of flue gas desulpherisation equipment at Longannet power station, and the future development of clean coal technologies, are all factors expected to increase the size of the potential market for Scottish coal production. We maintain regular contact with the sector and participate in the UK Coal Forum.

People with Dementia

Jackson Carlaw (West of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps is it taking to increase the support available to people suffering from dementia.

Shona Robison: Improving services for those with dementia and their carers is a priority for the Scottish Government and further options for change and improvement are being explored through the Better Health, Better Care consultation which runs to 12 November 2007. The outcomes will complement the range of initiatives already underway to increase support available to those with dementia.

  I have also appointed a Dementia Forum to inform and advise current and future attention on this important agenda. That agenda includes; a forthcoming integrated care pathway standard for dementia; the funding for a partnership dementia services redesign project through NHS Forth Valley and the Dementia Services Development Centre; attention on ensuring all new and refurnished primary care premises are designed to be dementia friendly; work with NHS Education for Scotland to develop a competency based framework for mental health staff working with older adults and grant funding over the next three years to support both Alzheimer Scotland and the Dementia Services Development Centre.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to ensure that people are aware of the Minor Ailments Scheme available at community pharmacies.

Shona Robison: We have provided a range of materials to advertise the availability of the Minor Ailment Service including patient information leaflets and posters sent to every community pharmacy and GP practice in Scotland and, more recently, a national window campaign in every participating community pharmacy.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to review the requirement for patients to register annually with a pharmacy in order to use the Minor Ailments Scheme.

Shona Robison: Patients do not have to register annually for the Minor Ailment Service. Registration only needs to occur once, unless a patient chooses to move their registration to another pharmacy or has previously withdrawn from the service.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it proposes to increase prescribing by pharmacists.

Shona Robison: The commissioning of national health services such as pharmacist prescribing services in primary and secondary care is a matter for NHS boards taking into account their assessment of local priorities and needs. In the primary care sector, the new contractual arrangements for community pharmacists place greater emphasis on the provision of a wider range of pharmacy services, which will include prescribing services.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to develop a more comprehensive minor ailments scheme for community pharmacies.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government values the important contribution that community pharmacists are making to improving access to the consultation and treatment of common clinical conditions through the Minor Ailment Service.

  The Minor Ailment Service has been operational for only 16 months. Officials plan to review the service at an appropriate time and will do so in consultation with Community Pharmacy Scotland, who represent all community pharmacy contractors in Scotland.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider granting access by community pharmacists to emergency care summaries with the consent of patients.

Shona Robison: As part of the national eHealth Strategy, the Emergency Care Summary Programme is currently developing a business case to consider extending the clinical user groups that could have access to the patient emergency care summary (ECS) record. Community pharmacists are clearly identified as a user group for consideration for the next stage of the ECS Programme.

Pharmacies

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it intends to introduce more patient group directions for community pharmacists.

Shona Robison: A number of national patient group directions (PGDs) have been developed for both the urgent provision of repeat medicine by community pharmacists and the Minor Ailment Service. The Scottish Government will consider the introduction of further national PGDs where this will offer an advantage for patient care, without compromising patient safety.

Schools

Margaret Mitchell (Central Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many pupils attend each local authority school in South Lanarkshire.

Maureen Watt: The latest available published information on the number of pupils in education authority schools was collected at the 2006 Pupil Census. This can be accessed on the Scottish Government website by clicking the following hyperlink: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Statistics/16412/PupilsByStageAtSep06 .

  The 2007 Pupil Census has only recently taken place and will be published due course.

Scottish Arts Council

Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive under what headings the Scottish Arts Council provides grants.

Linda Fabiani: The Scottish Arts Council’s Guide to funds 2007-08 sets out the specific headings for grant provision. This grant providing scheme covers crafts; dance; drama; literature; visual arts and music art forms.

  The guide can be found on the Scottish Arts Council’s website at: http://www.scottisharts.org.uk/1/information/publications/1004734.aspx.

Teachers

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many physical education teacher posts are currently not filled in secondary schools, broken down by local authority.

Maureen Watt: A vacancy survey is carried out each February and the results including the number of physical education teacher posts vacant in February 2007 can be accessed in Appendix 1 at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2007/06/22095928/11 .

Wheelchairs

John Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is available to people with muscle disease to ensure that they have an appropriate wheelchair for their individual medical condition.

Shona Robison: Referrals to one of Scotland’s five regional wheelchair centres are, in most cases, made by a GP, consultant or occupational therapist. Details of referrals will include the nature and level of the patient’s disability and/or medical condition, lifestyle and needs. Where they will use the wheelchair and their ability to operate particular types of wheelchairs will also be taken into consideration.

  Wheelchair assessments are carried out by a qualified medical professional. The process may involve a rehabilitation engineer responsible for how the wheelchair works, its dimensions, functionality and any adjustments, features or fixtures it needs. This includes special postural seating. Where necessary, a specialist team can provide assessments for equipment for people with severe physical disabilities, including muscular disease, who cannot use standard wheelchairs or controls.The assessment may include other professionals across health, education and social services. This is especially important if the wheelchair is for a child who will have development needs. All the situations in which a wheelchair may be used, including school, using transport and social activities, will be part of the assessment. Parents and carers should also be part of the process and their opinions and views considered.

  As a person's needs change, the wheelchair service will review their requirements. This can include, for example, changing from a manual to a powered wheelchair or carrying out adaptations to an existing chair.